New centre aims to help care for disabled children
From when he was three years old, Steven's family struggled to get him into school.
The day Mrs Vanessa Dos Santos gave birth to her last born son 21 years ago, she knew he was a little fighter.
Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared her for the years that followed.
Apart from having Down’s Syndrome, Steven was born dead.
“The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck too tightly and he could not breathe. At birth he was immediately taken away and was resuscitated. Two hours after his birth, doctors came back and told me he had the condition. During that time, my heart broke into a million pieces. I was not sure if he would pull through,” said Mrs Dos Santos.
She said her son was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
From when he was three years old, Steven’s family struggled to get him into school.
“All schools for pupils with special needs wanted nothing to do with him until I threatened legal action. He was finally admitted into a special needs school in Forest Town but nine years later, they let him go and he has been at home since,” said Mrs Dos Santos.
Steven is also autistic and cannot speak or walk.
Three years ago, he lost the sight in his right eye after his retina detached.
“It was a sad time in my life because that’s the other thing, if he’s sick, he is unable to tell us. Sometimes I just wish I could have a conversation with him,” she said.
Mrs Dos Santos said that come May this year, she has plans to launch a centre for other young adults like her son.
“We have kept Steven at home since he left school because we could not find any schools or workshops that offer programmes suited for him. Most of them have depressing environments and a child cannot learn anything from them. I visited a centre once and found they keep the children against the wall and feed them morning and afternoon. No activities at all,” said Mrs Dos Santos.
She said her son has a routine which allows him to do different activities during the week.
“These range from baking, shopping and horse riding to sport. By launching the centre, Steven’s Ability Centre, I will be able to offer young adults living with disabilities the programmes that will challenge them and ensure they are not bored. They will be able to make friends with other people like them. Computerised programmes will also form part of the course,” she said.
She said she will meet with interested parents and discuss the specific needs of their children in order to be able to tailor programmes to fit everyone.
Mrs Dos Santos said mothers with children living with disabilities should always remember that it is not the end of the world.
“First and foremost you are their mother. Your job is to mother and love them. Where you need help, ask for it. It does not make you a bad mother,” she said.
Interested parents can contact Mrs Dos Santos at vanessads123@gmail.com
